A new study reveals that the NOVA1 gene variant, found only in humans, may have played a crucial role in the evolution of spoken language. Researchers from Rockefeller University used CRISPR gene editing on mice to show that the human variant altered their vocalizations. This discovery underscores how language enabled early humans to share knowledge and coordinate actions, granting them survival advantages over extinct relatives. The study could also pave the way for early detection of speech and language issues in children, fostering advancements in treatments.